St. Catharines council also heard other impediments on city streets and sidewalks pose risk
St. Catharines city council is moving forward with a by-law concerning construction zones, and other impediments, of city streets or sidewalks.
Director of the downtown BIA Rachel Braithwaite spoke to council on Monday, indicating some people walk under ladders in construction zones, or walk through traffic to get around.
She said there's a lack of by-law officers to address unsafe road closures. "This causes me grave concern. The issues that we see currently need to be acted on promptly. They often result in 911 calls, because people don't know who to call because of the unsafe situations."
She added city staff have done their best to address this.
Braithwaite is hoping half of the fines from the by-law go to extra enforcement officers. "And that the other 50% go to the communities that are directly impacted. Either through planting of trees, promotion of nearby businesses, additional signage, or other initiatives to provide support to those directly impacted."
She says some business owners tell her unsafe road closures impact their business.
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